It's all Greek to me!

So, just a reminder, if you have been reading this blog then you have been informed about my adventures when I met Jim four years ago. Now I am going to slowly bring people up to speed on our most recent adventure....our honeymoon.

Jim and I got married December 10th, 2011 in Portland Oregon. It was the greatest day in my life! I was finally Mrs. Atwood! Our friends and family were all there to share in the celebration. We danced and drank champagne and enjoyed the photo booth!

On December 13th, Jim and I left for our honeymoon with two babies in tow. Four years later and we are still crazy. I don't think we will ever be cured. So, enjoy reading about our strange behavior!

December 15^th, 2011

Wow! Traveling with two babies is a lot of work! But, so far, well worth the effort.

We left Portland, Oregon at 1:25pm on December 13^th and landed in Amsterdam 9 ½ hours later. Because of the time change it was about 8 or 9am. We still had another flight to take after our 3 ½ hour layover.

Finally, at 3pm on December 14^th we landed in Athens. This was our first destination of several. This sort of travel, of course, leads to exhaustion so at 6pm we all went to bed.

The breakfast at our hotel, Divani Palace Acropolis, is actually pretty good. The eggs here are not like ours in America. If you ever travel outside the U.S. try the eggs. My favorite part of breakfast was the Greek coffee. It had a very distinct and bitter flavor that, for some reason unknown to me, was very addicting.

This morning we headed to the Parthenon at about 9am. A brisk 20 minute walk from our hotel and we were already entering the park. The kids have actually been traveling exceptionally well and continued this at the Parthenon. We walked around the ancient ruins and took lots of pictures together. We saw the acropolis and the world’s first ever theater.

World's First Theater

Jim and Asher at the Parthenon

Once we made our way back down the hill, on which these attractions live, the kids made some friends with some local children. They had a little bit more energy in them and they used it up playing tag with their new small, Greek friends. It turns out tag is a universal language. The children gave Chloe and Asher a parting gift of one balloon each and we all said our good-byes.

I love a good Greek salad, so we were definitely in the right place for satisfying lunch! When we get home I think I will start using the techniques I learned at what became our favorite lunch spot in Athens. The tomatoes, cucumbers and even cheese are not thinly sliced like I see often in Portland. Instead, they are torn into big chunks. Also, there was no vinegar. There was just olive oil and herbs. Very fresh and delicious! For my entrée I had chicken crepes. Everything was so yummy! Jim had mousaka and also spoke highly of his food. The staff entertained the children with complimentary fries and playful gestures. What a fabulous lunch!

Everyone LOVES babies here! They just grab your kid and give them hugs and kisses. Then, they yell to their friends to come over and play with your kids as well. It’s very different. In the U.S. we don’t even speak to our neighbor’s dog without permission but here, any small child is fair game for some genuine affection!

We returned to our hotel room ready for a nap. We must have been tired because we all slept for five hours!

It was a small hike to get dinner. It should have only taken 10 to 15 minutes to walk to the restaurant but it’s easy to lose your way in a city with so many tiny streets. In the U.S. I think we would call them alley-ways; but here in Athens you can find many shops and restaurants along the tiniest of walkways. Just watch out for cars and motorbikes. They go wherever they please.

Finally at the restaurant!

The restaurant food was overpriced but that was probably so they could pay for the entertainment. There was a lot of singing and dancing! Asher was ready to party! He rushed the stage several times! I think his favorite was the belly dancer. The large peaks on her front side probably screamed one word to him….MILK!

Chloe called all of the dancers princesses!

Dancing the night away!

Back at the hotel the kids finally fell asleep at close to midnight. I hope they rest up because it should be another exciting day tomorrow.

Please do not alter photos in any way. Please only borrow photos for PERSONAL use and please ALWAYS give Dana R. Atwood credit for the pictures you use. Thanks!